Saturday, November 21, 2009

Obituary: William P. Wehrly (1845-1909)

PROMINENT MEN CALLEDDeath Lays His Icy Hand on Two Well Known Citizens of This County

W.P. WEHRLY AND DANIEL WILTProgressive and Leading Residents of Salamonia and Redkey Many Years.

W.P. Wehrly, one the oldest residents of Salamonia, and one of the best known men in Jay county, died at his home Wednesday morning at 7:05, of stomach trouble. For several years, he has been a sufferer, but his condition became critical but a few days ago. Until but a few days before his death, he was able to be out of the house. Hemorhages were the immediate cause of his death.William P. Wehrly was born in Preble county, Ohio, November 3, 1845, being the son of John S. and Barbara Wehrly. He was a lad of but nine years of age, when his parents moved to Madison township, where practically all his life was spent. When less than 18 years of age, he enlisted as a member of Company I, 130th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which, in the Army of the Cumberland, he participated in many of the important battles of the Civil War. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea. Following the close of the war and the grand review in Washington he returned to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he was assigned to guard duty for a time, before being finally discharged at Indianapolis, in September, 1865. In 1866, he was married to Miss Olive Smith. To their union 15 children were born, of whom eleven, 6 boys and 5 girls, are still living, as follows: Martin, now in the U.S. navy, Henry, of Woodburn, Allen county; William H., at Portland; Blaine, Hartford City; Alva, of Salamonia; Harvey, at New Castle; Kate, wife of A.H. Andrews, of Hamilton, Ohio; Prudence, wife of Delbert Jackson, of Portland; Ida, wife of Ed Scholer, of New Castle; Ethel, wife of William Shreeves, four miles east of Portland; Barbara, wife of Cooper LeMasters, of near Salamonia. Two sons, Benjamin F. and Garfield, are dead. In 1876, he purchased the sawmill, in Salamonia, which he managed for several years. To his enterprise and manifestation of public spirit, is due more than one-third of the present buildings of the town, many of them being built under his personal supervision. For many years he was treasurer of the school board of the town and otherwise took a lively interest in its affairs. He was a member of the Christian church, where he always attended services whenever his health permitted.

The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Methodist church at Salamamonia. Interment will be in the Salamonia cemetery.